Fecit lunam per tempora sol cognovit occubitum suum

Posted on 20 December 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Perpend and be amazed.

With the help of APOD.

And read here.

Sometime after sunset tonight, [The eclipse begins on Tuesday morning, Dec. 21st, at 1:33 am EST (Monday, Dec. 20th, at 10:33 pm PST)] the Moon will go dark. This total lunar eclipse, where the entire Moon is engulfed in the shadow of the Earth, will be visible from all of North America, while the partial phase of this eclipse will be visible throughout much of the rest of the world. Observers on North America’s east coast will have to wait until after midnight for totality to begin, while west coasters should be able to see a fully darkened moon before midnight. Pictured above is a digital prediction, in image form, for how the Moon and the surrounding sky could appear near maximum darkness. Rolling your cursor over the image will bring up labels. Parts of the Moon entering the circle labeled umbra will appear the darkest since the Sun there will be completely blocked by the Earth. Parts of the Moon entering the circle labeled

penumbra will be exposed to some direct sunlight, and so shine by some degree by reflected light. The diminished glare of the normally full Moon will allow unusually good viewings of nearby celestial wonders such as the supernova remnant Simeis 147, the open star cluster M35, and the Crab Nebula M1. By coincidence this eclipse occurs on the day with the shortest amount of daylight in the northern hemisphere — the Winter Solstice. This solstice eclipse is the first in 456 years, although so far it appears that no one has figured out when the next solstice eclipse will be.

One of my photos.

Posted in Just Too Cool, SESSIUNCULA | Tagged , ,
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QUAERITUR: positive promotion of good practices rather than correction of abuses

Posted on 19 December 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

You have posted numerous times regarding how to address issues of abuse within a parish in respect to how to compile evidence regarding said abuse, and by what channels to contact the local bishop or the prefect for the CDW.

My question is thus: what type of process should be taken to encourage the use of chant at Mass byt both the priest and “the Ministry”?

That is a good question.

I suppose you could argue that the denial of the people of God of the Gregorian chant the Council required is in itself a liturgical abuse.   That, of course, won’t get you too far.

I will also ask the readers to chime in on this.

However, I think that any time you want to start something “new” in a parish, you have to a) demonstrate that it is going to get support from lay people so the priest doesn’t have to do it all on his own, and b) provide the resources to get it done.

Provide the resources: If you want Gregorian chant, you have to have a schola which can sing it.  That will either require the use of the existing choir or the formation of another (unless you bring people in from outside).   So… form a schola.   Remember: there will be “turf” dynamics here.  In some parishes the music people are very touchy.  In some places the music people are paid.  Sharpen your diplomatic skills.

Demonstrate support: Try to get a sense of how many people would like to have chant.  You could start by talking about the Vatican II liturgical reforms and the relevant paragraphs.  I would avoid “canvassing”, since that will probably annoy the pastor (unless he is already on your side).

There will have to be some catechesis too, either before or while it is starting up.    You will also have to convince people a) that this is what the Church asked for b) that this is the real liturgical music of the Roman Church and c) it really isn’t that hard.

It is a very tall order getting something like this going.  Every parish setting has its own dynamics and characters.   One plan will not “fit all”.

That said, perhaps some people have the experience of getting something going.  Maybe they could be induced to offer their experience and observations.

This has been framed in terms of Gregorian chant, but perhaps some of the strategies here can be useful in other ways (i.e., promoting Communion on the tongue, bringing back an altar rail, moving to ad orientem worship, etc.).

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged ,
19 Comments

QUAERITUR: Pastor changes the offertory. What do I do?

Posted on 19 December 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

How should I approach my pastor about liturgical abuses he has been committing?

The recurring abuse has been his changing the Offertorium to “Lord, accept this bread and wine. It comes from the earth, and it comes from our hands. May they become for us both the bread of life and the cup of your salvation.”

If your priest is doing that, then he is committing a serious liturgical abuse.

First, you do have the right to do something about it.

In a 2004 document of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments called Redemptionis Sacramentum, you rights and your duties are spelled out.

6. Complaints Regarding Abuses in Liturgical Matters

[183.] In an altogether particular manner, let everyone do all that is in their power to ensure that the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist will be protected from any and every irreverence or distortion and that all abuses be thoroughly corrected. This is a most serious duty incumbent upon each and every one, and all are bound to carry it out without any favouritism.

[184.] Any Catholic, whether Priest or Deacon or lay member of Christ’s faithful, has the right to lodge a complaint regarding a liturgical abuse to the diocesan Bishop or the competent Ordinary equivalent to him in law, or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff. It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity. [BE CLEAR!  A person has the right always to write to Rome directly as the first step.  Normally, however, it is best to work your way up the chain.]

Priests may not on their own authority simply change the rites of the Church has given them.  They are not to change the order of actions.  They are not to change the texts.

What you describe shows that the priest has collapsed a two-fold offertory, in two stages, which is theologically significant, into one action.  He thus changes the texts.  And he changes them in a way which introduces concepts which are not in the approved English texts.  That is grave.

Redemptionis Sacramentum also says:

[59.] The reprobated practice by which Priests, Deacons or the faithful here and there alter or vary at will the texts of the Sacred Liturgy that they are charged to pronounce, must cease. For in doing thus, they render the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy unstable, and not infrequently distort the authentic meaning of the Liturgy.

“Reprobate” means to abolish something in a quite severe way so as to make it impossible to appeal to custom even after future violations of law over a long time (as was the case with altar girls, etc. etc.).

Approaching a priest about a liturgical abuse is tricky.  Most priests, even sound sensible loyal priests, don’t take it well.  You must be very calm and not get in his face.  Just lay down the facts and then leave it be.  If that doesn’t result in any positive change, then get the bishop involved.  If that doesn’t produce a change, then write to the Congregation for Divine Worship in Rome.  They will take an interest, I assure you.

But they only take an interest on the basis of something concrete to work with, printed matter, video, etc, proof that this is an ongoing problem and not just an isolated incident, proof that the bishop or pastor have not corrected the situation in a reasonable amount of time.   A “reasonable” amount of time on my planet is about a day, given the invention of the telephone… but that’s my planet.  On planet Earth, these things take longer.

I wouldn’t get all revved up about a word here or there or a very small thing, but this sounds rather more serious.

If you have a face to face meeting with the pastor, then go home and immediately write down exactly, without opinions, what happened.  Use that as the basis of a letter to the priest himself about what happened.  In other words… make a record of the conversation so that there is one.  Keep copies of your letter and his response.

You should carefully review this page with TIPS for writing to ecclesiastical authorities.

You are not being a “busy body” by doing this provided that:

  • this is your parish and you are registered and active
  • you are accurate in what you describe (many people think priests are doing things wrong, but they themselves are wrong)
  • you are gracious about it

At every stage, keep copies. Keep in mind that this might take a while.

If other people get involved, they should also be careful not to be jerks.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Classic Posts, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged ,
31 Comments

Liturgical “You” v. “Thou” – WDTPRS POLL ALERT!

Posted on 19 December 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

There is a POLL at the end.

These days I have been comparing on a daily basis (sometimes on the blog) the new, or corrected ICEL prayers (in a couple revisions) with the Latin originals.  And while comparing them to the lame-duck versions still in use until Advent 2011 is only worth a chuckle, sometimes looking at old “hand missals” and more traditional translations people used for decades is fruitful.

One thing I wish the new translation had is the old “thee” and “thou” and “thy” language.

The norms of Liturgiam authenticam state that the speech of or liturgical worship should be distinct from every day speech (my emphases and comments):

27. Even if expressions should be avoided which hinder comprehension because of their excessively unusual or awkward nature, [“thou” surely isn’t that] the liturgical texts should be considered as the voice of the Church at prayer, rather than of only particular congregations or individuals;  [not merely cutting across global boundaries, but also the boundaries of time] thus, they should be free of an overly servile adherence to prevailing modes of expression. [Just because not many people say “thou” at work or home doesn’t mean we can’t say it in church.] If indeed, in the liturgical texts, words or expressions are sometimes employed which differ somewhat from usual and everyday speech, it is often enough by virtue of this very fact that the texts become truly memorable and capable of expressing heavenly realities. Indeed, it will be seen that the observance of the principles set forth in this Instruction will contribute to the gradual development, in each vernacular, of a sacred style that will come to be recognized as proper to liturgical language. [That has already happened with “thou”, etc.] Thus it may happen that a certain manner of speech which has come to be considered somewhat obsolete in daily usage may continue to be maintained in the liturgical context.

There it is.

In my opinion, the “thee” thing certain does what Liturgicam authenticam asks.  I don’t cry over the choice not to “thou” it up in the new, corrected translation.   Still… I like that sort of thing and I think others would also.

That said, most people are under the impress that “thee” and “thou” are formal.  They originally weren’t.

“Thee… thou.. thy… thine…” are familiar forms of pronouns for the second person singular used by a superior to an underling or between equals or friends.

The “you” form (derived from “ye”) is the more formal.

It was the use of “thou” and not “you” for the  second-person singular pronoun in Early Modern English translations of the Bible which gave “thou” etc. the solemn and formal feeling it has now.  In other words, over time those translation turned “thou” on its head and made it’s connotation the opposite of what it had before.  Unless  you are Amish or Quaker you don’t hear the familiar impact of “thou”.  You hear something formal.

My point is that the impact of “thou” for most people is now solemn and formal and venerable.

In traditional prayers (Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name…) we address God with a familiar, intimate form.   Think of the ruckus that would result if we forced Catholics to say “Our Father, who are in heaven, let your Name be holy”.

I grant that thou wouldst raise an eyebrow or two at the bowling alley with thy peeps if thou didst shift to “thou”:

“It being the tenth frame and since thou hadst a strike, thrice canst thou bowl.  Take thou up thy ball and bowl thou, already, ‘cause I gotta go home.”

That last phrase shows some lame-duck ICEL influence, but I think you get my drift.

In the lame-duck Sacramentary now in use ICEL improperly provided “Alternative Prayers” having nothing to do with Latin edition, which has no alternative opening prayers.

Too bad we can’t have alternative prayers in the new, corrected translation with the “thee”s and “thou”s.

I know you will have your own opinion.

Here is a WDTPRS POLL.  You don’t have to be registered to vote.

Choose your best answer and then, if you are a registered user, give your reasons in the combox.    Let people speak their piece without engaging with them or arguing with them.  But please stick to the topic.

You v. Thou in our liturgical prayer

View Results

Posted in POLLS, WDTPRS, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged
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The Holy Father’s 2011 visit to Germany

Posted on 19 December 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Next year the German-born Benedict XVI will have his first state visit to Germany.  His previous visits to Germany were apostolic visits.   During the September 2011 state visit Pope Benedict is slated to address the German Parliament in the Bundestag in Berlin.

The openly homosexual Volker Beck is agitating against Pope Benedict speaking to the German Parliament.

“The German Bundestag is justifiably cautious when inviting a foreign head of state,” Beck told the German daily Die Welt. “Firstly the pope is the head of a religion and secondly the head of a state.”

Here is a Reuters story about the issue.

I suspect there will be protests in Germany that will make those in England look like Afternoon Tea.

Posted in New Evangelization, Pope of Christian Unity, The Drill | Tagged ,
16 Comments

A priest speaks about celebrating Mass “ad orientem” for 5 years

Posted on 19 December 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

ad orientemThis is from Vultus Christi, the blog of Fr. Mark Daniel Kirby is Prior of the Diocesan  Benedictine Monastery of Our Lady of the Cenacle in Tulsa, Oklahoma established by H.E. Most Rev. Edward Slattery.

Fr. Kirby speaks about his impressions of celebration Holy Mass “ad orientem”.   This is useful for priests who are thinking about this but perhaps are still hesitant to just do it.

My emphases and comments.

Be sure to go to his place and leave an good comment in his combox!  Spike those stats!

Five Years of “Ad Orientem”

By Father Mark on December 16, 2010

Taking the Step

December 17, 2010 will mark the fifth anniversary of my standing before the altar ad orientem for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I began offering Holy Mass exclusively ad orientem at the Monastery of the Glorious Cross, where I served for a number of years as chaplain. I prepared the change in Advent 2005 with an appropriate pastoral and mystagogical catechesis.

Then Came Summorum Pontificum

After September 14, 2007, Summorum Pontificum made it much easier to celebrate the traditional rite of Holy Mass and, since undertaking my mission in Tulsa, I have offered the Extraordinary Form daily, having no desire and seeing no need, in the context of contemplative monastic life, of celebrating in the Ordinary Form. [With proper catechesis the same could be said for a parish.]

No Going Back

That being said, after five years of offering Holy Mass ad orientem, I can say that I never want to have to return to the versus populum position.  [Do I hear an “Amen!”?] While traveling, I am, however, sometimes obliged to celebrate versus populum, notably in Ireland, in France and Italy; it leaves me with a feeling of extreme inappropriateness. [Understandable.] I suffer from what I can only describe as a lack of sacred pudeur, or modesty in the face of the Holy Mysteries. When obliged to celebrate versus populum, I feel viscerally, as it were, that there is something very wrong — theologically, spiritually, and anthropologically — with offering the Holy Sacrifice turned toward the congregation.

Ten Advantages

What are the advantages of standing at the altar ad orientem, as I have experienced them over the past two years? I can think of ten straight off:

1. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is experienced as having a theocentric direction and focus. [Not anthropocentric.]
2. The faithful are spared the tiresome clerocentrism that has so overtaken the celebration of Holy Mass in the past forty years. [Do I hear another “Amen!”?]
3. It has once again become evident that the Canon of the Mass (Prex Eucharistica) is addressed to the Father, by the priest, in the name of all.
4. The sacrificial character of the Mass is wonderfully expressed and affirmed.
5. Almost imperceptibly one discovers the rightness of praying silently at certain moments, of reciting certain parts of the Mass softly, and of cantillating others.
6. It affords the priest celebrant the boon of a holy modesty.
7. I find myself more and more identified with Christ, Eternal High Priest and Hostia perpetua, in the liturgy of the heavenly sanctuary, beyond the veil, before the Face of the Father.
8. During the Canon of the Mass I am graced with a profound recollection.
9. The people have become more reverent in their demeanour. [Amen!]
10. The entire celebration of Holy Mass has gained in reverence, attention, and devotion.

Good work, Father.  WDTPRS KUDOS.

I wonder if people can add more reasons.

Also, perhaps for the sake of your own discussion so this issue, you could try to come up with good reasons for the versus populum celebration of Mass and test the arguments.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes | Tagged ,
26 Comments

Very cool webpage

Posted on 19 December 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The Vatican websites have a couple really cool pages.

Here is one of them.

Posted in Just Too Cool | Tagged
8 Comments

WDTPRS POLL ALERT! (This might get things going.)

Posted on 18 December 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I love the title of this entry.   No, not the title of this entry… but Damian Thompson’s title on the entry where he posts Michael Voris’s latest.

Lesbian-hugging Marxist nuns have reduced US parishes to nuclear wasteland, Catholic pundit tentatively suggests

Mr. Voris should go to a workshop with some modern sisters to help get in touch what what he really thinks and stop repressing his feelings, maybe walk a labyrinth… do some enneagram stuff.

I was happy to hear the use of “Fishwrap” in there, btw.

WDTPRS POLL:

AFTER watching that video, AFTER, pick the best answer below and give your reasons (if you are among the chosen registered) in the combox, below.  Some comments may wind up in a moderation queue.

Do NOT engage each other.  Do NOT engage each other. Do NOT engage each other.

I want people to feel free to speak their piece without others in the combox jumping on them, liberal, conservative, whatever.  Therefore, clean it clean, concise and don’t provoke me.

About that Michael Voris video....

View Results

Posted in POLLS, The Drill | Tagged ,
96 Comments

“God’s Pit Bull”

Posted on 18 December 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Raymond Card. BurkeHis Eminence Raymond Card. Burke has been underscoring the interplay of civil law and the Church’s canon law.  Last summer he organized a conference on that very subject.

This will be more and more important as the Church and state (and prevailing mores) become more and more estranged.

Catholics must consider what it will be like to maintain the Catholic identity of Catholic schools and hospitals (…. and, eventually, parishes).  We must consider whether it is worth trying to do so.  Most people will say that it is.

Under what conditions and constraints?  At what cost?

I suspect we are going to get more direction from Card. Burke on these matters.   Once he gets hold of something he, like a pit bull, doesn’t let it go.  Think of can. 915.

Card. Ratzinger was nicknamed “God’s Rotweiller”.

Perhaps Card. Burke will be “God’s Pit Bull”.

Posted in New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged , , , ,
19 Comments

ACLU shoves its forceps into Bp. Olmsted’s head

Posted on 18 December 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The ACLU apparently believes in freedom for their pet causes, such as the free aborting of babies, but not religious freedom for Catholics.

I read on LifeSite:

ACLU targets Phoenix bishop for opposing hospital abortion

by Kathleen Gilbert

NEW YORK, December 16, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The American Civil Liberties Union has attacked Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix after news broke this week that the bishop had taken further steps against a Catholic hospital that had performed a direct abortion.  [Apparently the ACLU doesn’t think that the Catholic bishops has the right, under the laws of the USA, to enjoy the civil liberty of exercise of his religion and to act as a Catholic bishop.]

Reacting to the latest clash, Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, staff attorney with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, [I wonder how many people they defend who choose to be pro-life?] said the staff of the St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center “did the right thing” by killing an unborn child late last year to avert aggravation of the mother’s pulmonary hypertension.  [That child will now never been able to enjoy civil liberties.]

“A hospital’s first responsibility must be to protect the health of its patient,” [the unborn child was also a patient whose life was in danger] said Kolbi-Molinas in a statement Wednesday. “Religiously affiliated hospitals are not exempt from federal laws that protect a patient’s right to receive emergency care, [get this…] and cannot invoke their religious status to jeopardize the health and lives of pregnant women.”  [Word choice Hell would be proud of!]

The pro-abortion wing of the advocacy group [= ACLU] had already written to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in July of this year urging them to investigate Catholic hospitals that refuse to perform direct abortions as a matter of Catholic moral principle.

[…]

Henry VI, Part 2, Act 4, s. 2, 71–78

Posted in Emanations from Penumbras, The future and our choices, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged , , ,
19 Comments